The Tasering of a prominent member of Bristol's black community has sparked a heated debate in the city.

Judah Adunbi, 63, was struck in the face by a Taser outside his home in Easton on Saturday, in a disturbing incident was filmed by a neighbour.

Mr Adunbi, or Ras Judah as he is widely known in the Easton area of the city, was Tasered after being stopped by two police officers.

The video has caused a huge controversy in Bristol, and reignited the debate about the way police interact with members of the black and ethnic minority community in the city.

The video was shared widely on social media, particularly in Easton and BS5 itself. There, on the Bristol Post's Facebook page, and on our website, the debate raged about whether the police's actions were over-the-top, or whether Mr Adunbi was in the wrong.

Senior officers have now referred the incident to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, and an investigation is underway.

Judah Adunbi

Many people commenting expressed outrage at the police officers' conduct, but others defended the police, saying Mr Adunbi should have been more co-operative.

"Bear in mind this is apparently the second time the police have attacked this man thinking he was somebody else, the first time left him with a lifelong injury, so no, if he has no legal obligation to co-operate with the police, I don't blame him for not playing ball," said Becka Whiteley. "His 'crime' of not being cooperative pales next to their crime of Tasering an innocent old man in the face."

On the BS5 community Facebook group, there was a huge amount of support for Mr Adunbi.

Mimi Walker wrote: "If they were interested in his ID then they would have picked up his wallet and checked it when he threw it. They didn't. And he was well within his rights to refuse. Using threatening behaviour and outright violence to illicit compliance is not what the police are there for.

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Another local resident, Alex Piper, added: "I'm really sad this has happened where I live.

"The officers show incompetence, she fired far too quickly and it was unnecessary anyway. I'm very worried about these jumpy cops walking around with weapons like this. They are public servants."

And commenting on our story, Danielle said: "The reason people don't like to give their name is because of police harassment. If you can't see why someone wouldn't want to give their name, then you're not in a disadvantaged group in society. The fact is, whether you agree with it or not, it's the law, they don't have to give their name."

Some people felt while Mr Adunbi could have been more cooperative the police officers' behaviour was also inappropriate.

'The use of the Taser was ridiculous in the extreme'

Harebelle added: "This guy should have just given his name and not reacted with such a hot-headed and aggressive manner.

"However, the decision of the officers to start physically manhandling him as he was trying to shut his gate was inflammatory and wrong. I think they had tunnel vision when they should have let him go and pursued alternative action. The use of the Taser was ridiculous in the extreme," she added.

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A commenter called Doughnuts added: "Regardless of whether Mr Adunbi should have been more co-operative with the police, the question has to be asked why the hell has the female sergeant withdrawn her Taser in the first place? The officers involved will go off work with stress on full pay, and the 'victim' will be blamed for his lack of co-operation. Public confidence in police is already at an all time low."

"The police officers' actions were correct," said one commenter, 'ouroboros'. "They believed he was a wanted man, they asked him for his name, he refused to tell them and tried to leave the scene. He resisted their attempt to stop him and displayed violent and threatening behaviour. As a member of the public it is reassuring to know there are still officers around who are prepared to step up to the mark," they added.

In Easton, James Stone supported the police. "Put yourself in their position… you were looking for a suspected criminal, someone you suspect could be that person, they won't tell you details of who they are and try to leave.

"We all know the police can't just let him walk away, what if he was the person they are looking for and they have just let a suspected criminal walk away? That would be wrong too," he added.

And Sam Walker said: "Why not just tell them your name though? Just asking !don't jump on me! If he cooperated and stayed calm surely this wouldn't of happened."